NEW ZEALAND BIOFOULING REQUIREMENTS NOW IN FORCE

Published: 23 May 2018

From 15 May 2018 ships arriving in New Zealand will need to comply with biofouling requirements and arrive with a ‘clean hull’.  There are two different categories – ships that are long-stay (remaining in New Zealand for 21 days or longer) and short-stay (remaining for 20 days or less).  For long-stay the threshold is that the allowable biofouling for all hull surfaces is “slime layer; goose barnacles”.  For short-stay there are more complicated biofouling thresholds for different parts of the ship and so Members are advised to look at the Craft Risk Management Standard (CRMS) for Biofouling.

The ’clean hull’ requirement can be achieved by evidence of cleaning immediately before the visit to New Zealand (less than 30 days before arrival) or carried out within 24 hours of arrival in New Zealand.  Ships can also show they have a system of ‘continual maintenance’ using best practice including applications of appropriate anti-foul coatings, operating marine growth prevention systems on sea chests and carrying out in-water inspections. Following the IMO biofouling guidelines is recognised as an example of best practice.

Before ships arrive in New Zealand they must provide full details of where they ship has been, how long the ship intends to stay and what biofouling measures have been implemented.  Non-compliance may mean that the ship is denied entry to New Zealand or is required to leave until the requirements have been met.

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Britannia